Coin counter and stacker



Oct. 24, 1950 w. E. BECKER com COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Dec. 30, '1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WALTER E. BECKER ATTORNEYS Oct. 24, 1950 w. E. BECKER 2,527,389

com COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Dec. 30, 1947 2 Sheets-She et 2 M I" B 'H Ia' I w i A M E AE INVENTOR WALTER E. BECKER av d'lltmlbteyoldnu Patented Get. 24, 195G Walters Becker, San Antonio. Tex assigi'ion'of three-furthi,to. William H. McChesney, ,San;

Antonio, Tex,

Application Decemberfiil, 194 -7, Serial No. 794,531

. v 11 i The present invention as to do witha coin counting device andis concerned primarilywith a device which includes as a characteristic-feature a magazine for receiving a supply of the coins to be-counted.

At the present time, there-isavailable to and in some use bythepublic various measuring devices which are employed to measure off predetermined quantities of coins. All of these known devices are generally characterized as being of tubular formation and carry indicia which indicates the number of coins included in any part thereof. When more than the maximum number which may beheld by any such device is to be counted it is necessary to refill t-he device over and-over again which makesthe counting of the coins somewhattroublesome. With the foregoingconditions in mind, the present invention has in view-as itsforemostobjective the provision of a coin counting device which includes essentiallytwo main parts; Gne of these parts is used tu-perforin the measuring or counting function while the other part-is magazine-which feeds coins to the firstpart.

Another object of theinvention-is-the provision of a coin counting 'device of the typeaforesaidin which thearneasuring part and the magazine are integrally joined together and fashioned-from a single piece of tubing. This arrangement provides for-a, high degree-of simplicity in-the ar-ticleand'insures a positive feed fromthe magazine, to the counting or measuring part of the tube.

Still another object of the invention liesin the provision of a coin counting deviceoi the character above noted which includes a. measuring tube of cylindrical-formation that is formed with.

recesses. at appropriate. intervals. to measure .oii desirednumbers of the coins. Theserecesses are. dimensioned so that the fingers of an. operator may project therethrough andgrasp. the coinsso as to raise the entire-device together with any coins therein above the place where they. are. ene gagedby the fingers. Thus, the coins in the coun; ter below the place where they are engaged bythe. fingers are leftin a measured stack onthe surface of a table or other appropriate support,

r-A coin counter made in accordance with the above noted objectives presents'thedistinct-ad? vantage of enabling thecoins to be accurately counted and at the same time it maybe employed as ameansfor feeding the, coins to a wrapper It is common practice in banks and othercommer cial institutions handling coinsin large ouantities to wrap the coins in wrappers-of various denominations. ,Such wrappers, are generally of 5. Claims; (01. 13348) paper and'while folded out. flat. when notin use. may be distended into a cylindrical.v formation; closelyconforming to the circular contour of the coins which they are intended to receive. By tak;-.: ing such a container, distending it into its cylin drical formation, andclosing one end as by folds. ing," a measured number of coins may be fed thereto by inserting the coin counter of this in ventionfthereinto' With thelower or open. enden a gaging theblcsedfol'ded end of the wrapper...

The wine arenow fed-into the counter through the magazine portion thereof and the operator avails of the particular-set of recesseswhich determines the number of coins to be=rneasured oft and-causeshis-fingers to engage the coinsthrough these recesses. Upon raising the counter and the coins above the recess engaged, themeasured quantity will be left in the wrapper.

Another highly important object of the inven' tion is the provision of means for facilitating-the feeding of coins into the magazine; In carryingout this idea in a practical embodiment, a bagof flexiblematerial is employed andthis bag has an openmouthdesigned -to-snugly'fit about the'openend of the magazine. Thecoins are containedin this-bag-and whenit is properly manipulated Will passintothe tube constitutingthe magazine:

1 Yet another object of the-invention is'the pro-'- visioh of a coin counter of the character indi cated-which includesmeans-for'definitely insuringlthat an exact amount of coins isbeing carried. This object may-be'achieved byprcviding one or more ofthe' recesses above referred'to With spring tongues, each or which has asharp; inWardly'ex-. tending proj ecticn'. adapted ,to be inserted between adjacent coins. It is evident that these projections may be located with a high degree of'accuracy so that definite assurance will be hadthat exactly the, predeterminednumber of coins de-.'. sired Will be positioned 'therebeneath.

Various. other. more detailed objects and advantages of-the invention such as arise inconnecticnwith carrying-outthe. above. notedideas in a; practical embodiment will in .part. become apparent;

one end formed with metering recesseswhereby. it. is constituted armeasuring part with-.the part at. the othen-end communicating; therewith and functioning as a magazine, to feed. coinsstoatlie measuring part.

, For-a full andmorercompleteunderstanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a coin counting device made in accordance with the precepts of this invention. In this View, the magazine is broken away because of space limitations.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the tube shown in Figure 1, this view being taken about on the plane represented by'the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective showing the manner in which the counter of this invention is used.

Figure 4 is a view showing the counter as supported on a table and in side elevation and depicts one manner in which it may be filled.

Figure 5 is a view showing the counter supported on a table and containing coins with the counter itself shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 6 is a perspective developing the first step of using the present device when a wrapper is to be filled.

- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 bringing out the next step in filling a wrapper.

' Figure 8 is a detailed perspective of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a horizontal section through still another modification being taken about on the plane represented by theline 9-9 of Figure 10.

Figure 10 is a detailed view of one end of the metering part of the counter which is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view bringing out how the form of Figures 9 and 10 is used to accurately measure the coins. In this view the counter is shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 12 is a perspective View showing a bag containing a supply of coins attached to the magazine end of the counter.

Figure 13' is another view similar to Figure 12 showing the bag in position feeding the coins to the magazine of the counter.

7 Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the coin counter of this invention is shown as consisting of a cylindrical tube [0 which has a diameter corresponding to that of the particular coins which are to be counted by this tube In. It will be noted that under practical conditions the users of counters of this type will carry a complete set. One tube will be for pennies, another for nickels, another for dimes, quarters, etc.

The tube I0 is of sufficient length to provide two parts having distinct though related functions. The lower end illustrated in Figure 1 is referred to generally as A and constitutes the counting or metering portion of the tube. The upper part is designated M and functions as the magazine that contains coins to be counted and feeds them to the part A.

At appropriate levels or heights as determined by the distance from the free end of the part A the tube is formed with a series of recesses and which series are designated ll, l2, and I3. The number of series of recesses illustrated is taken purely for illustrative purposes and is not intended as a limitation on the invention. The counter would function properly if only a, single series of recesses such as that shown at H were used just as it would function if one or more series were added above the series [3. It is important to note that the last or innermost series establishes the line of division between the metering part A and the magazine M.

Each of the recesses in the series ll, [2, and

I 3 should be so shaped and dimensioned that when they are grasped by the fingers of a user, portions of the fingers will project therethrough and engage coins within the tube so that the coins above the recesses may be lifted with the tube.

It is notable that in the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the series shown at II will mark off a group of say ten coins, that shown at l2 will measure a group of twenty-five, and that shown at I3 will measure fifty coins.

The manner in which the simple divisions above described may be employed under practical conditions is depicted in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The counter may be used on any article or piece of furniture having a fiat, substantially horizontal surface. Thus, the table shown at M has a surface |5 which is used in the counting operation now to be described. The tube I0 is first placed in an upright position with the free end of the metering part A resting on the surface 15. The operator now takes a handful of the coins to be counted and feeds them into the open end of the magazine M at the top, as shown in Figure 3, until all the coins which are to be counted are in the tube [0 or the latter is filled. This condition of the tube is depicted in Figure 5.

The operator then places his fingers around the appropriate series of recesses. By Way of example, let us assume that it is desired to arrange the coins in stacks of twenty-five. The operator then places his fingers over the series of recesses at [2 in the manner shown in Figure 8 and raises the tube 10 together with the coins in the tube above the recesses 12. This leaves a stack of measured coins, such as shown at It in Figure 3 resting on the surface I5. erator has to do is again to place the open end of the metering part on the table and to release the coins above the recesses I2 whereupon they will fall down into the lowermost portion and the measuring operation repeated in the manner described.

Should it be desired not only to measure the coins but also toplace them in a wrapper, the procedure depicted in Figures 6 and 7 may be followed. Coin wrappers are usually of paper and are stored in a fiat position. When they are used, they are distended into the cylindrical shape shown at Figures 6 and 7 and at which the wrapper is designated W. The first step is to fold one end of the wrapper W so as to close it. This closed end is designated I1 and is placed on the surface I5 of the table. The open end of the metering part A of the tube 10 is then inserted into the wrapper W in the manner depicted in Figure 6 and the insertion continued until the open end of the part A engages the closed end I! of the wrapper W. The coins to be counted are now inserted in the tube [0 and the appropriate series of recesses grasped in the manner above described and the tube, together with the coins above the series of recesses, raised in the manner shown in Figure '7. This leaves a measured stack within the wrapper W.

Once a supply of coins is in the tube, the op-- erator will maintain the grasp of the coins shown in Figure 7 so as to prevent them from falling until the metering part A is again inserted in the next wrapper.

In practicing this method of filling coinwrappers it may be possible to use wrappers Which' All the opshown at 26.

the.wrapper,.such..-as: shown -:at- H) is noteealed until after the meteringn-partnlof the Rtube 10 is removed. ,7

Referring now more particularly to Figures 12 and 13, a bag Bis shown ,as having a neck H! at one end and aseam 20 at the other end which is closed by:=a zipper fastenerrZLu The bag B may It isevi'dent that the zipper may be availed of as occasion demands to fill the bag B with coins to be counted. When the bag is in the position shown in Figure 12, the coins will, of course, not

' passin'to the magazine M. However, when the bag is raised into the positionshown in' Figure 13, it is evident that the coins will pass through the neck [9 and open mouth into the magazine M.

Some coins closely approach certain other coins of a difierent denomination in dimensions. Thus, there is not a big difference between the diameters and thicknesses of pennies and dimes. It is believed that one of the tubes It may be designed so that it could be used for either of the two sets of coins, the diameters of which are fairly close. This end is achieved by employing the arrangement shown in Figure 8.

Upon referring to this figure, it will be noted that there are two main sets of recesses which are angularly offset with respect to each other a distance of ninety degrees. One set of recesses is represented at 24 while the other is shown at 25. The tube will carry proper indicia indicating that the recesses 25 are to be used when one type of coins, sa for instance pennies, is to be counted while other indicia indicate that the recesses 24 are to be employed in counting dimes.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 9, 10, and 11, a further refinement of the invention will be described and in which a high degree of accuracy in the counting operation is assured. In this form of the invention, each series of recesses will be made up of the opposed recesses A tongue 21 extends partially over each recess and may be an integral part of the tube It]. some spring or resilient qualities. The inner face of each tongue 21 carries a projection or knife edge 28 which is intended to be inserted between adjacent coins in the manner shown in Figure 11.

In using the form of the invention shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the same modus operandi is employed except that instead of the operator having his fingers pass through the recesses they merely engage the tongues 27 and .press them inwardly. Ths causes the knife edges 28 to be inserted between the coins at the proper point so that the coins thereabove may be left with the tube and the coins therebelow left in a measured stack.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin counter of the character described, a metering tube having a' cylindrical bore corre- The tongues 2'5 will preferably have fi spondingtopt'he diameter of coins t ube counted, a seriesrof' openings arou dthe-periphery of said ube. and di posed rad allyrinacommon p ne-at anappropriate location in the wall ofgsaid tube 5 as determined by the space occupied, by a; desired numberofrlike coins b tween id 'oneninasand anopen end of said tube, andqa tubular magazine having a cylindrical bore ott same 5 245 s d J'Qiilfid d bore n saidme erine u in ee a l said meter ng. .t b and ommunic therewith my a 2., In a coin ,cou, ,ter of the character; described, a metering tu e hav n a c d al bore cq ree sponding to the diamet r ofcoins to be-counted, a series of openin s arou d e e iph y'of said tube and disposed radiallyin a common plane at an -a prop iate locati n n e Wa l; of .saidtub as, determined y th a e o upi d by a desir d num er of like. co s b en s d op riin and an open end of said tube, and a tubular magazine having a cylindrical bore of the same size as said bore in said metering tube integrally joined to said metering tube and communicating axially therewith, said openings having a width greater than the thickness of one of the coins to be counted whereby to expose the edges of at least two adj acent coins and the juncture line between the same in said openings for engagement whereby to provide for separation of the stack of coins in the said metering tube.

3. In a coin counter of the character described, a metering tube having a cylindrical bore corresponding substantially to the diameter of coins to be counted, a first series of openings around t ng; ax

in a common plane at an appropriate location in the wall of said tube as determined by the space occupied by a desired number of like coins of one denomination between the said openings and an open end of said tube, and a second series of openings around the periphery of said tube spaced longitudinally of said tube from said first series of openings and angularly out of alignment with the said first series of openings and further disposed radially in a common plane at an appropriate location in the wall of said tube as determined by the space oc-cupied by a desired number of like coins of a diifere'nt denomination between said openings and the said open end of said tube. 4. In a coin counter of the character described,

a metering tube having a cylindrical bore corresponding substantially to the diameter of coins to be counted, a first series of openings around the periphery of said tube and disposed radially in a common plane at an appropriate location in the wall of said tube as determined by the space occupied by a desired number of like coins of I one denomination between the said openings and an open end of said tube, and a second series of openings around the periphery of said tube series of openings and angularly substantially 90 out of alignment with the said first series of openings and further disposed radially in a common plane at an appropriate location in the wall of said tube as determined by the space occupied by a desired number of like coins of a difierent denomination between said openings and the said open end of said tube.

5. In a coin counter of the character described, a metering tube having a cylindrical bore corresponding to the diameter of coins to be counted, a series of openings around the periphery of said tube and disposed radially in a common plane 7 at an appropriate location in the wall of said the periphery of said tube and disposed radially,

spaced longitudinally of said tube from said first tube as determined by the space Occupied by a desired number of like coins between said openings and an open end of said tube, a tubular magazine having a cylindrical bore of the same size as said bore in said metering tube integrally Joined to said metering tube and communicating axially therewith, said openings having a width greater than the thickness of one of the coins to be counted whereby to expose the edges of at least two coins and a juncture line between the same in said openings, a spring tongue carried by said metering tube adjacent at least one of said openings and disposed normally out of the said opening, and a projection on said tongue radially aligned with the juncture between coins exposed by the said one opening and positioned normally outside the periphery of the said cylindrical bore of said metering tube but projectable into said tube upon radial movement of said tongue'whreby to separate the stack of coins iii the said metering tube. c

WALTER E. Erick-ER REFERENCES CITED .The'. following references are of record 111 the" filesofn this patent: V

c UNITED STATES PATENTS Number V I Name Date 2,277,916 Klemt Mar. 31, 1942 2,342,761 Simpson Feb. 29, 19% L 2,431,121 -Hunter Nov. 18, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date a 59,489 Austria June 10, 1913 489,547 France Feb. 14, 1919 

